Hi friends! Happy humpday! Looking for a booty workout? Check out this one; it’s one of my very faves. I hope you’re enjoying the week so far!

Spring Quinoa Salad with Artichokes, Feta, and Asparagus

When I first wrote this post, we had just gotten back from an awesome Vegas vacay. It was so good to get back into the swing of things and back in the routine of the girls’ classes and lessons, teaching fitness classes, and catching up on work stuff.  It also felt good to eat some home-cooked food! When we travel, I try to stick to one indulgent meal each day and go for my normal eats for the most part, but Vegas is a little different. It was easy for me to make healthy choices for breakfast, but you definitely have to take advantage of all of the fantastic entree and dessert options. 😉

I was also like, “I can’t wait to eat a vegetable when we get back” but then I looked in our fridge, it was pretty much empty, and I ended up eating coconut milk salted caramel ice cream for lunch. I guess I was still in Vegas mode. 😉 Once I was finally able to replenish the fridge, I created this little on-the-fly salad with some of the new grocery stash.

This salad is perfect for any upcoming spring parties or picnics, and includes two of the “great A’s”: artichokes and asparagus. It has fresh, flavorful, and bright lemon flavors from the lemon juice + zest, and since it’s quinoa-based, it’s sturdy enough to last a few days in the fridge so you can make it in advance! I made it as part of this week’s meal prep (along with some grilled chicken, amazeballs, and protein baked oatmeal) so I could easily eat it alone on top of salad greens or with grilled chicken or tuna for an easy lunch.

This salad is filling and satisfying, plus it’s gluten-free. Vegan friends can omit the feta cheese, or add in their favorite vegan cheese, for a vegan option

Plus it’s one of those, “toss everything in a bowl and forget about it” kinda recipes, which means I’m a fan.

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Sharing the latest guide I’ve created that you can download completely free here. 

Hi friends! How are you? I hope that you’re having a wonderful day so far! I’m off to the kids’ school for a bit and looking forward to recording a podcast episode for IHP later today.

For today, I wanted to share something that I’ve been working on creating behind the scenes for quite a while now: a master resource guide with all of my favorite wellness products.

This is a curated list of tried-and-true products and resources, designed to enhance every aspect of your health and well-being. From biohacking gadgets to clean beauty essentials, detox tools to clean cleaning products, this comprehensive resource list has everything you need to elevate your lifestyle and prioritize your health. The best part is that it’s totally free!

Free wellness resources list

Why Sign Up?

This free wellness resource list is more than just a collection of products; it’s a roadmap to healthier living. I’ve done the research, tested countless products, and curated only the best-of-the-best for my reader friends. Whether you’re looking to boost your energy levels, support your immune system, or simply live a more balanced life, this resource list has you covered.

What’s Included?

Here’s a sneak peek at what you’ll find in this free resource list:

Biohacking Gadgets: Discover the latest tools and technology to optimize your health and performance, from sleep trackers to continuous glucose monitors.

Filters and Detox Tools: Safeguard your health and home with our selection of top-rated water filters, air purifiers, and detox products designed to remove toxins and support your body’s natural detoxification processes.

Clean Beauty Essentials: Upgrade your skincare and beauty routine with my favorite clean, non-toxic beauty products that nourish your skin and enhance your natural glow.

Clean Cleaning Products: Keep your home sparkling clean without harmful chemicals or toxins with our curated selection of eco-friendly cleaning products that are safe for you and the planet.

And Much More: From supplements to superfoods, at-home workouts to mindfulness resources, this resource list is packed with valuable tools and information to help you thrive in every area of your life.

How to Get Started:

Ready to access our free wellness resource list? Simply sign up using the form here and you’ll receive instant access to this comprehensive guide. Whether you’re a wellness newbie or a seasoned pro, this resource list can be your go-to source to take things to the next level.

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Sharing some of my favorite stretches for better posture. 

Hi friends! How are ya? I hope you’re enjoying the day so far! I have a Spanish lesson today and am meeting up with a friend for lunch. I hope you have a fun and relaxing day ahead!

For today.. let’s talk about posture. (And how many of you sat up a little straighter while reading that?! I did while I was typing it.)

Good posture is more than just standing up straight; it’s about alignment, balance, and overall well-being. Beyond the aesthetic appeal, maintaining proper posture can enhance flexibility, strength, and even reduce the risk of injuries. However, with sedentary lifestyles and prolonged sitting becoming the norm, many people suffer from poor posture. Fortunately, there are simple yet effective stretches that can help correct and improve posture, regardless of age or fitness level. Today, I wanted to share a variety of stretches aimed at enhancing posture and overall spinal health.

10 Stretches For Better Posture:

Cat-Cow Stretch:

Muscles Targeted: Spine, abdominals, and back muscles.

Benefits: Promotes spinal flexibility, stretches the spine, and helps alleviate tension in the back and neck.

How to Do It: Start on your hands and knees, inhale as you arch your back and lift your chest (cow pose), exhale as you round your spine and tuck your chin to your chest (cat pose). Repeat for several breaths.

Forward Fold:

Muscles Targeted: Hamstrings, lower back, and spine.

Benefits: Lengthens the spine, stretches the hamstrings, and relieves tension in the lower back.

How to Do It: Stand with feet hip-width apart, hinge at the hips, and fold forward, reaching towards the floor. Allow your head to hang heavy and hold for a few breaths.

Chest Opener:

Muscles Targeted: Chest, shoulders, and upper back.

Benefits: Counteracts rounded shoulders, opens the chest, and improves posture by stretching the muscles in the front of the body.

How to Do It: Stand tall, interlace your fingers behind your back, and squeeze your shoulder blades together as you lift your arms and open your chest. Hold for 30 seconds.

Seated Spinal Twist:

Muscles Targeted: Spine, obliques, and hips.

Benefits: Improves spinal mobility, releases tension in the back, and stretches the muscles along the spine and s

Sharing a comparison between Pilates and yoga, and which one I like more 😉 

Hi friends! Happy Monday! How was the weekend? I hope you had a great one! We officially have spring fever over there. I want to replant the garden – I let everything outside die when I was dealing with the great eye saga – and clean everything, while the kids are already begging to jump in the pool wearing their pajamas.

I’m enjoying this short-lived sweet spot of weather before it’s a thousand degrees by walking and hiking as much as possible!

For today’s post, I wanted to chat a bit about Pilates and yoga, and the diffferences between these two popular low-impact workout options.

In the world of mind-body fitness, Pilates and yoga stand as two prominent practices, each offering a unique approach to physical and mental well-being. While they share some similarities, such as emphasizing breath control and mind-body connection, there are distinct differences between the two. There are nuances of Pilates and yoga, which make them super special, and I wanted to chat about muscle engagement, styles, advantages, and considerations for incorporating them into your fitness routine. As always, talk to a doctor before making any fitness or nutrition changes!

Pilates vs. Yoga: Understanding the Difference and Benefits

Muscle Groups Targeted:

Both Pilates and yoga engage various muscle groups, albeit with different emphases. Pilates primarily targets the core muscles, including the abdominals, obliques, and lower back, while also engaging muscles throughout the body to improve strength, flexibility, and stability.

On the other hand, yoga encompasses a broader range of muscle groups, including the core, arms, legs, and back, with different poses targeting specific areas depending on the style practiced. I feel like both are great total-body workouts, but Pilates definitely includes more core work.

Jumpsuit is here!

Styles of Pilates and Yoga:

Pilates comes in several forms, with the most common being mat Pilates and equipment-based Pilates using apparatus like the reformer, cadillac, and chair. Mat Pilates focuses on bodyweight exercises performed on a mat, wherea

Hi friends! How was the week? I hope you had a great one. What’s going on this weekend?

We have a birthday party, a night out with friends, and I’m teaching a barre class.  I also can’t wait to crawl into the sauna blanket this afternoon; it’s a little chilly today. I’ve love to hear what you have going on!

I was also thinking of doing a spring challenge, similar to Spring Shape Up but with MORE. Wellness tips, fitness programming, live calls, free, the whole deal. Let me know if that’s something you’d be interested in doing and we can start later this month!

It’s time for the weekly Friday Faves party (on a Saturday! Yesterday ended up being wild, but I still love doing this particular post each week). This is where I share some of my favorite finds from the week and around the web. I always love to hear about your faves, too, so please shout out something you’re loving in the comments section below.

Friday Faves 4.5

Life:

Easter fun! We had an amazing Easter weekend here at home after our San Diego and Disneyland trip last week. Saturday night, the girls and I went to mass, and Sunday morning, the Easter bunny made a stop at our house.

He brought new swimsuits and candy for both kids, a drone and a stuffed animal for one kid, skincare and lulu for the other. 😉

We had a lovely breakfast at my dad’s house with his side of the family and we finally got to meet the newest member of the family, Hudson! He is snuggliest sweetest little guy… and is NOT helping my current baby fever. (Team Two and Through, but I’m struggling with this right now lol.)

Classic Easter pic:

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